Devon Witherspoon - NFL Mock Draft Roundup

If the New England Patriots are going to get back into contention in the AFC East, improved cornerback play to combat the talent at wide receiver in the division is a must. Witherspoon is an ultra-competitive corner with man coverage ability, ball skills, and physicality.

Cornerback options are dwindling so Washington acts fast. Devon Witherspoon is a fiery competitor with the intelligence to play man and zone coverage.

The Giants need to replace James Bradberry, which is something they could do with their first-round selection.

Devon Witherspoon is not quite six feet, but he has incredible speed.

There's going to be a great corner here. Whether it's Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. or Georgia's Kelee Ringo, or Oregon's Christin Gonzalez, or Witherspoon, it's a rich area to pick from.

Witherspoon looks like a supreme athlete, and his 2022 film was squeaky clean. He could ascend to the first cornerback off the board in this class.

The Illini defense made a ton of strides this past year, and Witherspoon's growth was a big part of it. He's got great instincts and a solid frame, and he really knows how to get in the head of opposing wideouts at the line or down the field when he's making a play.

Devon Witherspoon checks every box Bill Belichick has for a cornerback. He's experienced and proficient in press, versatile, and oozes confidence. With impressive instincts and ball skills to boot, Witherspoon could — and should — be the first CB off the board.

Watch Devon Witherspoon play.

Listen to maybe five minutes of Dan Campbell.

Enough said.

Devon Witherspoon had a great season for the Illini, and while there will be questions about his slight frame, you wouldn't know it watching him play.

The Steelers won six of their last seven to finish above .500. It's never a bad idea to stock up on cornerbacks to deal with the talented, young QBs in the AFC North.

A playmaker, with five career interceptions and a big 2022 season — three picks and 17 passes defended.

Devin Witherspoon is the most physical, hard-hitting corner in this draft. He is not afraid to mix it up in the run game and can push around wideouts.

Chargers team leadership have to be living a life of regret these days, and not just for giving every sage on Twitter the chance to say "Chargers Chargering" when the team hacked up a 27-point lead and lost their playoff game to Jacksonville. No, the part that really hurt was watching the Jags go into Kansas City to face off with the AFC-best Chiefs in a game the Chargers should have used as their yardstick.

Along with finding an upgrade from dismissed Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi, the Chargers' task list now tops out with upgrading their secondary to get some help for Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James. Unless JC Jackson makes an amazing recovery from a torn patella, that refurbishing should start at cornerback. Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon is one to build around, a big hitter, big talker and big-time cover man with a 91.0 PFF grade in pass coverage. If Witherspoon lasts this long in the draft, he could be a perfect balm for the battered psyches in the locker room of LA's other team.

Will the Patriots bring back free agent corner Jonathan Jones? That could determine what Bill Belichick & Co. do here, because this is a strong cornerback class in the back half of Round 1. There could be a run on defensive backs in the 20s. Witherspoon is my top-ranked corner, a long and physical player who shut down an entire side of the field for the Fighting Illini. He also is not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle.

Outside of corner, New England could target offensive line or wide receiver with this pick to try to support quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled in Year 2.

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